Creative Communities on a Shared Island Fund

Creative Communities Fund aims to build connections through culture and creativity across the island

The Creative Communities on a Shared Island Fund aims to support projects that grow cooperation and ways to work together between communities.

Creative Communities is a partnership initiative between the Creative Ireland Programme and Ireland’s 31 local authorities. It is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

What funding is available?

Three strands of funding are available during 2026–2028:

• Strand 1 - total of €750,000. Awards of up to €250,000 each for a maximum of three large-scale proposals.
• Strand 2 - total of €600,000. Awards of up to €150,000 to individual local authorities in Ireland.
• Strand 3 - total of €250,000. Five awards of €50,000 for small-scale projects.

Who can apply?

Local authority, Culture and Creativity Teams in Ireland, in partnership with local or national community, cultural and creative organisations working with north-south and/or east-west (Ireland-Britain) partners.

Partners can include:

• charities or not-for-profit organisations
• social enterprises
• community groups and networks
• business, commercial companies
• arts and cultural organisations or institutions
• creative organisations, networks and collectives, including all-island networks
• public sector bodies

How can they apply?

Applications can be made online only. 

The online application portal closes at 1pm on Friday 27 February 2026.

First published 16 December 2025